I've just been outside and felt something 'fly' near my ear, so like most girls would do I freaked out and waited inside. I put my hand on my head and it fell out of my hair, naturally I screamed. It's currently on my kitchen floor, I've trapped it in a glass waiting to move it.
It's black, got 8 legs, and it's got this weird back when it's scared or angry (or both) it kinda flares it up so it's almost vertical what kinda insect is it?
I'm praying that I've found a new species and that the government are going to offer me millions for it!
2007-07-18 04:14:45 · 15 answers · asked by Nicole W 2 in Environment ➔ Other - Environment
Sorry, 6 legs..
2007-07-18 04:19:46 · update #1
Well it's about an inch long, black, and got siz legs. There are no markings on it, but it looks evil.
2007-07-18 04:28:49 · update #2
This sounds as though it could be a beetle called the Devil's Coach Horse
2007-07-19 04:47:07 · answer #1 · answered by Duffer 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like some sort of beetle to me. Beetles are the most numerous genus of animals on the planet, with an estimated 400,000 different species, with possibly as many again still to be discovered. However, those species still awaiting discovery and proper scientific naming are mostly in remote areas of the world's rain forests and jungles, it's unlikely that you'll discover a new species in the UK, though not impossible as it could have migrated from other parts of the world.
There is an chapter in Bill Bryson's excellent book "A short history of nearly everything" that deals with the subject of animal species and their classification (called Taxonomy). I heartily recommend this book, even if it's only tenuously related to your question.
Please don't kill your little 'beastie', whether ugly or cute, dangerous or benign, it's one more vital little piece of this wondrous experience we all share called life.
2007-07-18 11:41:16 · answer #2 · answered by psymon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not an insect if it has 8 legs, insects have six legs. It's a spider or tick, unless you are counting antenna as legs. Sounds like a new insect robot spying device from the NSA. Do you have an Arabic sounding name or have you experienced any trouble getting on airplanes recently?
Don't let it bite you!
2007-07-18 11:23:20 · answer #3 · answered by Ron H 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Try this site. It has a key for identifying insects. It works by narrowing down the number of possible species it could belong to. There are numerous new species discovered each year, so you have good chances of new discoveries.
http://www.einsteins-emporium.com/life/animal-info/insects/insect_identification.htm
2007-07-18 12:01:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anders 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm guessing its a beetle. There a millions of kinds of them. Almost all living creatures make themselves look bigger when alarmed. Its trying to impress you with its size. I should let the poor thing go, they eat lots of nasties in the garden for you.
2007-07-18 11:37:02 · answer #5 · answered by bouncer bobtail 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it has 8 legs then you have a spider.
How big is it? Color? Markings? If it has a red hour glass shape on it's thorax (the end part) then you have a black widow. And the immature ones aren't black, btw. I found one in my mail box yesterday - they're a brownish grey with striped legs.
2007-07-18 11:21:27 · answer #6 · answered by anonevyl 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
8 legs means spider, 6 means insect. Are you sure you aren't counting antennae?
2007-07-18 11:17:47 · answer #7 · answered by tabby90 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds creepy
2007-07-18 11:27:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do a search on Rove Beetle.
2007-07-18 13:05:04 · answer #9 · answered by John R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi
Be careful, there may be more of them about and it may be sending signals to them right now, if I were you I'd let it go or they may pay you a visit tonight while you're in bed and in the dark, Mwhaaaaaaaaa.
Ray. West York's. U.K.
2007-07-18 11:28:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋